Gov Lawal questions legality of Reps’ invitation
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has expressed concern over the legality of an invitation extended to him by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, describing it as constitutionally questionable. The summons was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Media of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Chooks Oko. Zamfara State has for years battled persistent banditry, with frequent attacks, killings, abductions, extortion, and cattle rustling, particularly in rural communities. Similarly, the Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said while the National Assembly may invite governors on national issues, such invitations are not binding. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State defended the invitation.
Source:The Guardian
February 01, 2026 14:25 UTC
80 Worshippers Escape Kaduna Abduction, Return Home
No fewer than 80 worshippers who escaped abduction during a bandit attack on the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have returned to their homes after spending about two weeks taking refuge in neighbouring villages. The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed the development to PUNCH Online in a telephone interview on Sunday. A military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the return of the displaced worshippers to sustained security operations targeting bandits’ hideouts across Kajuru and adjoining forest corridors. When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the police will release a comprehensive report regarding the return of the worshippers. “The Police is going to come out with a comprehensive report surrounding the Kurmin Wali abduction,” Mansir said.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 14:12 UTC
America’s contract to protect white women has always been tenuous
Cowboy westerns where white women were rescued from “savage” Natives spun the genocidal project of “manifest destiny” into a classic image. State violence wielded as protection for white women has long been a touchstone of white racial domination. Portrayed in minstrel blackface by white actors, their political and social gains are motivated solely by their marauding lust for white women. The fact that gender violence against white women is overwhelmingly perpetrated by white men doesn’t dent this propaganda. For the right, a white woman worth protecting is a white woman whose gender role supports white male dominance.
Source:The Guardian
February 01, 2026 14:08 UTC
Snoop Dogg’s granddaughter Codi dies at ten months old
Hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg is mourning his granddaughter, Codi, following a heartbreaking announcement by his daughter, Cori Broadus. In the emotional message, she described Codi as the “love of my life” and revealed that the child had passed away earlier in the week. Codi, Snoop Dogg’s 10-month-old granddaughter, was born three months premature and spent much of her short life receiving medical care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Despite the medical challenges, Cori had recently shared hopeful updates with followers, posting photos and messages expressing gratitude and faith as Codi continued to fight. Just weeks before her death, Cori shared a photo of herself resting alongside her daughter, saying that God had answered their prayers and that Codi was showing signs of improvement.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 13:58 UTC
African Stars Vie for Best African Music Performance Grammy
All four are angling to add to their trophy cabinets by taking home the gala’s most coveted African award, Best African Music Performance. On November 7, 2025, Burna Boy received two nominations — Best African Music Performance for “Love” and Best Global Music Album for No Sign of Weakness — making him the highest-nominated African artist in the cycle. In the Best African Music Performance category, Nigeria’s dominance was unmistakable, with “Love” by Burna Boy, “With You” by Davido featuring Omah Lay, and “Gimme Dat” by Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid all nominated. The song also won Best Afrobeats at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. With such strong entries, the Best African Music Performance category promises a historic moment for the continent’s music scene, regardless of who takes home the prize.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 13:49 UTC
LP to hold congresses from March, begin membership revalidation
The Labour Party has resolved to commence its congresses from March 2026 and begin a nationwide revalidation of its membership, alongside the registration of new members. The party also expressed regret over the exit of its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi. The statement said the meeting resolved “to set up a timetable for the Labour Party congresses at the ward, local government, state and zonal levels, culminating in a National Convention. It called on the former National Chairman, Julius Abure, and his team to sheath their swords and return to the party, while also urging Nigerians to join the Labour Party. Otti, the statement concluded, thanked supporters of the party and assured them that the Labour Party would emerge stronger and more united.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 13:36 UTC
Troops kill Boko Haram second-in-command, 10 fighters in Borno – Military
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised a top Boko Haram leader identified as the second-in-command, alongside 10 other foot soldiers in Sambisa Forest, Borno State. In a statement on Sunday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, said many weapons were also recovered during the operation. “Troops’ morale remains high as clearance operations continue across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle, and other known hideouts of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East region,” he added. He further stated that the Joint Task Force (North East) reaffirms its commitment to sustaining the tempo of operations until all terrorist elements are neutralised and lasting peace and economic stability are restored to the region. The troops further revealed that, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, they neutralised three terrorists during an ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 11:27 UTC
US firms spent N3bn on permits for Nigerian workers – Report
However, Nigerian recipients represented just 0.4 per cent of the 219,813 H-1B visas issued globally in FY 2024. Only 1.5 per cent of all H-1B visas were issued to Africans for the Fiscal Year under review. The H-1B visa programme was established under the Immigration Act of 1990, signed into law by President George H.W. The US Congress initially set an annual cap of 65,000 H-1B visas, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants holding master’s degrees or higher from US institutions. The fee applies to employers sponsoring workers who are outside the United States and do not hold valid H-1B visas.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 11:00 UTC
NNPP Denies Kwankwaso Defection Talks with APC
The New Nigeria Peoples Party has dismissed reports suggesting that the National Leader of the party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, overreached himself in a purported negotiation for his defection to the All Progressives Congress. According to the NNPP, Kwankwaso never held any discussion with President Bola Tinubu on joining the APC, contrary to claims in some quarters. “I will agree with the second outcome you mentioned — that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso overreached,” Yusuf said. Ladipo, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, stated that Kwankwaso never contemplated defecting to the APC. “It is a blatant lie that Kwankwaso made demands or entered into negotiations with the APC or Tinubu for his defection to the party.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 10:58 UTC
Tata clocks highest-ever monthly sales in January 2026, Nexon, Punch hit record highs
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPV) has started 2026 with its strongest-ever monthly performance, recording total sales of 71,066 units in January, its highest monthly volume to date. advertisementNexon sets new benchmarksThe Tata Nexon emerged as a standout performer, delivering its highest-ever monthly sales of over 23,000 units in January. Punch continues rapid growth trajectoryThe Tata Punch maintained its stellar run, posting best-ever monthly sales of over 19,000 units. The EV numbers include sales from Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. Momentum builds into 2026With record monthly sales, multiple model-level milestones, and rising demand for both ICE and electric vehicles, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles enters 2026 with strong momentum.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 10:35 UTC
Fire service recovers body of missing three-year-old in Kano
The Kano State Fire Service has recovered the body of a three-year-old boy, Abdura’uf Badamasi, who was reported missing in Wangara Village, Tofa Local Government Area of the state. The Director of the service, Alhaji Sani Anas, disclosed this in a statement signed and released by its Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, on Saturday in Kano. He said, “We received a distress call from one Dan Asabe Rabiu on Friday morning at about 7:50 am, reporting the disappearance of Badamasi. The victim was handed over to the Ward Head of Wangara Village for burial. He said, *The Kano State Fire Service expresses deep condolences to the bereaved family and urges the residents to cover open wells and take adequate measures around other hazardous areas, particularly to safeguard children.”(NAN)
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 10:27 UTC
Kogi PDP targets full sweep in 2027 Senate, Reps races
Gambo made the disclosure at meeting organised by Natasha Avabe Group, Zango Citi, Adavi LGA on Saturday“Our plan is to produce three Senators and seven Representative members in the next general election. PDP has the answers to all the challenges being faced in Nigeria and Kogi state in particular” he said. Gambo appealed to undecided individuals to join the PDP, citing the party’s people-centric approach. He assured all that the PDP would do things differently, prioritising women and youths, and making provisions for their empowerment. Following the 2023 election cycle where the party made significant inroads in Kogi Central, the state leadership is now looking to scale that success across the entire state.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 10:05 UTC
3,500 Farmers May Quit Rice Cultivation Over N93bn Losses
The National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism, a presidential policy committee, has revealed that about 3,500 rice farmers are set to abandon cultivation following losses estimated at N93bn across the sector during the 2025 wet season. Applied to the survey sample, this translates to approximately 3,500 farmers planning to exit or reduce rice cultivation. According to the committee, rice farmers recorded losses of N20,220 per hectare during the 2025 wet season. The committee noted that 23 per cent of rice farmers planned to switch to soybeans or sesame due to declining rice prices driven by import pressure. Rice farmers had earlier raised the alarm over the collapse of Nigeria’s rice industry, attributing the shutdown of local mills and mass job losses to cheap imports, insecurity, and lack of government support.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 07:02 UTC
‘It’s not just about surviving’: the Ukrainian frontline city where life goes on under cover
Her own house in the city, she says, was hit by Russian shelling in 2024, injuring her in the leg and stomach. This basement is a safe space in a dangerous city. “It is important to give them choices to make them feel that it is not just about surviving,” she says. Anti-drone nets are installed in Kherson Anti-drone nets being installed in Kherson. The “red zone” – a 1km-deep strip along the Dnipro waterfront facing the Russian positions – is the most dangerous area in the city.
Source:The Guardian
February 01, 2026 06:23 UTC
Kwankwaso's ADC Move Stalled Over Peter Obi Ticket Doubts
There is currently a proposed alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso for a joint 2027 presidential ticket under the ADC. The loyalist added that the leaders specifically warned Kwankwaso not to defect until there was an assurance that Obi would receive the presidential ticket. As it is, it seems Kwankwaso is the bargaining strength for Peter Obi to get the presidential ticket in the ADC, and the card must be carefully played. The game ahead is that Obi will participate in the ADC presidential primary, and after losing to Atiku, he will be persuaded to take the VP slot. As it stands, Kwankwaso is Obi’s only strong bargaining chip for the ADC presidential ticket.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 05:43 UTC